Fall 2019 through Philanthropy at LifeBridge Health SCOTT WENDLER A framed photo of Dr. Aziza Shad embracing her former patient Kara Amey—daughter of donors Scott and Deborah Amey—has a special place in Dr. Shad’s office. A New Strategy for Survivorship Scott & Deborah Amey Donate $1 Million to Launch Groundbreaking Treatment, Education & Research Program for Pediatric Cancer Survivors WHEN RYAN TOMOFF—A 24-YEAR-OLD, FIVE- Now that’s set to change with the “We know that when a child is TIME PEDIATRIC CANCER SURVIVOR—GOES ALL launch of “The Next Step:” The Amey treated with chemotherapy, radiation, DAY WITHOUT EATING, PEOPLE ARE TAKEN Cancer Survivorship Program at the Her- surgery, bone marrow transplants, or WABACK. “He’s on quite a few maintenance man & Walter Samuelson Children’s some combination of those therapies, drugs, including an appetite enhancer,” Hospital at Sinai—a groundbreaking late effects of treatment can surface many explains Ryan’s mom, Terri. “But friends treatment, education, and research pro- years down the road,” explains Dr. Aziza are still shocked. They’re like: ‘Wait...he gram made possible thanks to a $1 million Shad, the Ellen W.P. Wasserman Chair of still feels that way?!?’” gift from Scott and Deborah Amey. Pediatrics and head of Pediatric For pediatric cancer survivors, feeling At the heart of the program is a ➤ continued on page 2 “that way” is often a fact of life—a fact multidisciplinary clinic where pediatric that, for too long, has gone unmonitored cancer survivors are seen for follow-up and unplanned for in traditional health care at least once per year after they are care settings. two years off treatment. The goal is to “You may beat the disease, but so monitor survivors for any late effects that many things reverberate after. How may arise long after their cancer treat- do you address them?,” asks Tomoff. ments have ended. “There’s no roadmap for that.” A New Strategy for Survivorship continued from page 1 Hematology/Oncology at the Samuelson Children’s Hospital. “Physical develop- ment is arrested or doesn’t happen at the pace that it should. Organs like the heart can be affected five, 10, or even 20 years later. There can be fertility and early menopause issues, PTSD, learning disabil- ities, and second cancers. This program gives us a dedicated place to follow the pa- tient into adulthood so that we can detect and manage these issues proactively.” The clinic visit is structured so that, in one day, the patient can not only be seen by the pediatric oncology team, but also by other sub-specialists, such as cardi- ologists, endocrinologists, and SCOTT WENDLER nutritionists. For families like the Tomoffs, that level of access is life-changing. Dr. Aziza Shad with her former patient—and now Samuelson Children’s Hospital art therapist—Danielle “Because of his history, Ryan has to Eichner. As a pediatric cancer survivor, Eichner was closely monitored to ensure she could have children. see a number of doctors, from dermatolo- Her daughter, Logan Rose, will turn 1 this year. gists to ophthalmologists, and we’ve really had to go to bat to find specialists who can to give patients and families the tools to we cut back on treatment so the long-term handle a patient with a huge medical “take ownership of their disease and pro- effects are minimized without compromis- past,” explains Tomoff. “But thanks to the actively take care of themselves,” says Dr. ing cure rates?” Ameys, the new program will automati- Shad. But the program also aims to keep It is a lofty goal—but one that is cally connect survivors to top doctors who caregivers who fall outside the patient’s deeply personal to the Amey family, whose really know their stuff and are willing and immediate circle fully informed. That in- daughter, Kara, survived a pediatric brain able to follow kids on their journey. That’s cludes the patient’s primary care provider tumor under Dr. Shad’s care more than a an absolute blessing.” and, often times, their teachers. decade ago. The clinic also helps patients navigate “It is not unusual for a pediatric “I’m always amazed at families like the the emotional journey of survivorship cancer survivor to get straight As in grades Ameys who make it through this journey with the aid of child life specialists, as well 2 and 3, for example, and yet by grade 5 and still want to give back,” remarks as art therapy sessions led by Danielle he’s getting Cs and Ds,” says Dr. Shad. Eichner. “When you’re done with treat- Eichner, a certified art therapist and 23- “We are prepared for this and can go to ment, the natural thing is to want to run year childhood cancer survivor under Dr. the schools one-on-one to educate them for the hills, move on with your life, and Shad’s care. about the patient’s history and help them forget all about it. So I’m in awe of their “When you’re a cancer patient, you build the child’s 504 plan or IEP, or come strength and dedication to staying in this don’t have time to process what you’re up with custom solutions like preferential world and making the journey better for going through. Your focus is entirely on seating or more time for testing.” countless other families after them.” the treatment,” Eichner explains. “It’s not Dr. Shad expects the program’s Terri Tomoff agrees: “I don’t think until later that you have time to stop and research component to extend outside the they realize how wonderful they are. work though the impact your cancer had walls of the Children’s Hospital as well. There are so many families they’ve and may continue to have on your life. “Our goal is to partner nationally touched who will never cross their paths With art therapy, we help survivors flush with other survivorship programs and and won’t get the chance to thank them. out those feelings in a very relaxed, infor- sub-specialties, such as cardiology, But I’m in the trenches with a lot of par- mal way.” reproductive health, and neuropsychology ents, and those feelings for the Ameys are Beyond the clinic, the Amey Cancer to fully understand the long-term out- there—this sense of gratitude for what Survivorship Program focuses on two comes for cancer survivors and how we they’re building and how important it’s other priorities: education and research. can improve them,” she explains. “Are we going to be in the scheme of childhood The education component is designed giving too much treatment? If so, how can and young adult cancer.” l Tracy’s Kids How You Can Help The non-profit organization “Tracy’s Kids” has provided art “It’s very difficult to raise money for survivors,” therapy program funding for 2019 at the Division of Pediatric explains Dr. Shad. “Many people give money for cancer, Hematology/Oncology at the Herman & Walter Samuelson but the ‘after cancer’ piece is really only understood by the Children’s Hospital at Sinai. Since September 2016, Tracy’s people who have been through the journey themselves.” Kids has made this invaluable program available to the pedi- You can help make a difference. Join the Amey family atric patients in the outpatient clinic and inpatient units. Art in support of childhood cancer survivors by making a gift to therapy helps our young patients to communicate when they The Amey Cancer Survivorship Program. To get started or cannot find the words to express how they are feeling about to learn more, go to LifeBridgeHealth.org/Giving or call their diagnosis and treatment. 410-601-GIFT (4438). 2 www.lifebridgehealth.org/giving MARC SUMMERFIELD/GUILL PHOTO Grateful patient Betty Lichtman enjoys her appointments with Dr. Janet Conway. “We’ve become friends,” says Betty. “I just want to help her.” To Love, Honor and Give Betty Lichtman Fulfills Late Husband’s Charitable Wishes with Grateful Patient Gifts to the charities of his wife’s choice. For all we can to get rid of the cancer while DRUG CITY OWNER HARRY LICHTMAN Betty, the choice was immediately clear: still giving patients as good a quality of WAS KNOWN FOR HIS BUSINESS ACUMEN. LifeBridge Health. life as possible.” DOver the course of his 60-year career, She started with a major gift to Betty’s grateful patient giving contin- Dundalk-area residents watched in ad- honor Dr. Jeanette Linder, chief of ued after she underwent surgery with Dr. miration as he grew his single, original radiation oncology at the Alvin & Lois Janet Conway, head of bone and joint storefront into a pharmacy, liquor store, Lapidus Cancer Institute, and the infection for the Rubin Institute for and retail emporium that spanned an specialist who had cared for her Advanced Orthopedics. In 2018, she entire county block. husband while he was sick. made a generous contribution in honor But the secret to “Doc Harry’s” “Dr. Linder was so good to Harry,” of Dr. Conway, as well as another gift to success was ultimately his heart. Betty explains. “I wanted to help her heal honor the Intensivist Program at North- “He was an old-fashioned pharma- as many people as she can. I knew Harry west Hospital where she had recovered. cist,” his wife, Betty, recalls fondly. would have wanted that, too.” “Dr. Conway is a good doctor. She “Customers would come from all over The donation enabled Sinai to deals with hospitals around the world. because they knew he’d go out of his become the first hospital in Maryland If they have a case they can’t figure out, way find what they needed.